cornerstone
gb/kˈɔɹnɚstˌoʊn/ us/kˈɔɹnɚstˌoʊn/
B2
Английский
~ 9300
Значения
0 значений
Существительное
B2
entity
1
most important, basic part
The main and most important part that supports or guides something, like a system, idea, plan, or belief.
Модель употребления:
[something] is the cornerstone of [something]
Частая ошибка:
Learners sometimes think "cornerstone" can be used for any important thing. In natural English, it is usually used for the single most important part or one of a very small number of basic parts (e.g., "a cornerstone of our policy", not "a cornerstone of my lunch"). Another common mistake is writing it as two words (*corner stone*), but it is written as one word in this figurative sense.
Синонимы
foundation (Very close in meaning; slightly broader and more common in both literal and figurative uses.)
|
basis (Stresses what something is built on, but sounds a bit less strong and less formal than "cornerstone".)
|
pillar (Often used for ideas or values that support something; suggests one of several main supports, while "cornerstone" suggests the single most important one.)
Антонимы
detail (A small, less important part, contrasting with "cornerstone" as the most important part.)
|
minor aspect (Emphasizes something of low importance within a system, the opposite role of a cornerstone.)
Коллокации
cornerstone of democracy
|cornerstone of policy
|cornerstone of the economy
|serve as the cornerstone
|form the cornerstone
|provide the cornerstone
Темы
society
|business
|education
|core_vocabulary
Примеры
- Trust is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship.
- Free speech is a cornerstone of democratic society.
- This agreement will become the cornerstone of our long‑term strategy.
- Education is the cornerstone of the country’s development plans.
- Their customer‑first culture is the cornerstone of the company’s success.
Примеры для изучающих
- Honesty is the cornerstone of their family life.
- Good communication is the cornerstone of teamwork.
- Respect for others is a cornerstone of the school’s rules.
- Saving money early is the cornerstone of his financial plan.
- Strong laws are the cornerstone of public safety.
Существительное
B2
entity
2
ceremonial stone at building corner
A special stone placed at the bottom corner of a building, often with writing on it to show when or why the building was made.
Модель употребления:
lay/place a cornerstone in/at [a building]
Частая ошибка:
Learners may confuse the literal architectural meaning with the common figurative meaning and use this sense when talking about ideas (for example, saying "the literal cornerstone of democracy" when the physical stone meaning is not intended). In most modern texts, if no building is mentioned, the figurative sense is usually meant.
Синонимы
foundation stone (Very close in architectural use; sometimes broader and not limited to the corner position.)
Антонимы
capstone (Refers to the top stone of a structure, contrasting with a cornerstone at the base.)
Коллокации
lay the cornerstone
|ceremonial cornerstone
|inscribed cornerstone
|cornerstone ceremony
|marble cornerstone
|cornerstone of the building
Темы
architecture
|history
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Примеры
- The church’s cornerstone, laid in 1883, is still visible near the front steps.
- A time capsule was placed inside the new library’s cornerstone during the opening ceremony.
- The mayor helped lay the cornerstone of the new hospital.
- Workers cleaned the soot from the old courthouse’s granite cornerstone.
- An inscription on the cornerstone records the names of the original architects.
Примеры для изучающих
- They put a box inside the cornerstone of the new school.
- The date of the building is written on the cornerstone.
- People watched as the cornerstone of the museum was put in place.
- The old church has a large cornerstone near the main door.
- The president spoke when the cornerstone of the bridge tower was laid.
Грамматика
Выражения
the cornerstone of [something]
1/ðə kˈɔɹnɚstˌoʊn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
the most important part of something
Used to say that something is the main thing that supports or guides another thing, such as a system, plan, or belief.
Примеры
- Transparency is the cornerstone of our management style.
- Equal access to education is the cornerstone of the government’s social policy.